Emblem I.4: Occasions-past are sought in vaine

Occasions-past are sought in vaine;
But, oft, they wheele-about againe.

UNwise are they that spend their youthfull Prime
In Vanities; as if they did suppose
That men, at pleasure, might redeeme the Time;
For, they a faire advantage fondly lose.
As ill-advis'd be those, who having lost
The first Occasions, to Desparing runne:
For, Time hath Revolutions; and, the most,
For their Affaires, have Seasons more, then one.
Nor is their Folly small, who much depend
On Transitorie things, as if their Powre
Could bring to passe what should not have an End;
Or compasse that, which Time will not devoure.
The first Occasions, therefore, see thou take
(Which offred are) to bring thy hopes about;
And, minde thou, still, what Haste away they make,
Before thy swift-pac't houres are quite runne out.
Yet, if an Opportunity be past,
Despaire not thou, as they that hopelesse be;
Since, Time may so revolve againe, at last,
That New-Occasions may be offred thee.
And see, thou trust not on those fading things,
Which by thine owne Endeavours thou acquir'st:
For, Time (which her owne Births to ruine brings)
Will spare, nor thee, nor ought which thou desir'st.
His Properties, and Vses, what they are,
In vaine observ'd will be, when he is fled:
That, they in season, therefore, may appeare,
Our Emblem, thus, hath him deciphered;
Balde save before, and standing on a Wheele;
A Razor in his Hand, a Winged-Heele.